BILL NUMBER: SJR 14	CHAPTERED  09/21/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   135
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 21, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 10, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   AUGUST 24, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Costa

                        MAY 12, 1999

   Senate Joint Resolution No. 14--Relative to immunosuppressive
drugs.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SJR 14, Costa.  Relative to immunosuppressive drugs.
   This measure would memorialize the Congress of the United States
to enact Sen. No. 631 and H.R. No. 1115, in order that transplant
recipients covered by Medicare will be able to receive
immunosuppressive drugs for as long as is necessary for their
continued health and well-being.




   WHEREAS, Immunosuppressive drugs play a critical role in
preventing organ rejection in transplant patients; and
   WHEREAS, Currently, Medicare coverage for immunosuppressive drugs
lasts for only 36 months posttransplant; and
   WHEREAS, Lack of access to immunosuppressive drugs can often
result in a return to dialysis, or the need for a second transplant,
for kidney transplant patients, the need for a second transplant for
heart, liver, or lung recipients, or even death; and
   WHEREAS, The cost to Medicare for immunosuppressive drugs for a
kidney transplant patient averages $11,000 per year.  Health care
costs for dialysis patients are an estimated $50,000 per patient per
year, and the cost of a second kidney transplant is $100,000; and
   WHEREAS, On March 16, 1999, Sen. No. 631, the "Immunosuppressive
Drugs Coverage Act of 1999" was introduced in the United States
Senate, and H.R.  No. 1115, the "Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage
Extension Act of 1999," was introduced in the United States House of
Representatives, for the purpose of eliminating the three-year time
limit on Medicare coverage for immunosuppressive drugs; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of California,
jointly, That the Legislature respectfully memorializes the Congress
of the United States to enact Sen. No. 631 and H.R. No. 1115, in
order that transplant recipients covered by Medicare will be able to
receive immunosuppressive drugs for as long as is necessary for their
continued health and well-being; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States,
to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each Senator
and Representative from California in the Congress of the Unites
States.
